BRONZE HANDLE BUTTER DISH $110 We love the simple, beautiful work of Portland based ceramicist Lisa Jones of Pigeon Toe. This hearty porcelain butter dish is enhanced by a square bronze handle giving it a modern but timeless elegance.

At a home in California, wood and glass take the lead, including wood drawers with cutout pulls for a custom but simple look.

Custom Leather & Aluminum Door Handle by Rob Zinn for blankblank, Martis Camp Residence by Jill Dudensing Lifestyle + Design

Slate Serving Board ($30)

Serve treats on a tray as rich as dessert itself with the marble-and-walnut Duo serving tray from Bower.

AJ SERVING TRAY There is something undeniably refined about a stainless steel bar set. Whether it’s the subtle shine or the coolness of the metal, Stelton’s Cylinda-Line, designed by Arne Jacobsen, presents the essential elements for a modern bar. The series uses simple cylindrical shapes to provide a minimalist, clean continuity between the pieces. The AJ Serving Tray features two side handles for easy carrying, and is an attractive way to serve cocktails to guests, or to place hors d’oeuvres on a coffee table. As a standalone item, the tray adds elegance to a cocktail party. Grouped with other pieces from the Cylinda-Line? That’s a comprehensive, sophisticated modern bar.

Wolfum The L.A.-based design shop led by Annabel Inganni sets itself apart with a combination of materials and textiles. Its serving tray exemplifies Wolfum’s infatuation with patterns in a simple form created from Baltic Birch plywood.

Kitchen

The floor plan of Dimster Architecture's Dual House in Venice, California.

Serving set by Mazama Wares, $210 The midnight-blue speckle of this hand-thrown ceramic bottle and quartet of tumblers is a celestial sight to behold. Also available in ash (black), glass (green), and cloud (gray).

The American Modern collection for Bauer Pottery is made in California in a variety of colorways. Shown, is the American Modern divided vegetable bowl in chartreuse.

"When Pyrex was launched in 1915 as clear glass ovenware, American consumers needed to be persuaded that baking in glass was not only feasible, but provided benefits that baking in metal, iron, and earthenware did not have," Brumagen says. "To aid them in their campaign, Corning Glass Works executives turned to leading home economists to first test the new material in the kitchen and then to promote it to Americans through advertising, cooking columns in magazines, and demonstrations." Pyrex Utility Baking Dish, made by Corning Glass Works, 1915-1925.

"In the 1980s, microwaveable products were added to the Pyrex line, as more and more families needed the convenience of being able to make quick meals in the microwave." Pyrex Sculpted Bakeware, 1990s.

"From the beginning, when wife of Corning Glass Works Physicist Jesse T. Littleton baked a sponge cake in the bottom of a battery jar made of NONEX, women have been involved in nearly every aspect of Pyrex development. NONEX was a new thermal shock resistant glass developed by Corning for railroad lanterns and other industrial products, and Littleton and others were looking for new products to develop with this unique glass. Bessie Littleton offered to test it out in her kitchen and made the famous sponge cake that launched the brand." Pyrex Covered Casserole, made by Corning Glass Works, 1969-1970.

Alessi MU Serving Set A compliment to the MU Flatware Place Setting or beautiful on it's own, this serving set is created by award-winning Japanese architect and designer Toyo Ito, and draws on the tactile sensation of chopsticks. Its sleek, linear lines are softened with an organic quality inspired by plants. The result is an elegant harmony.

Here's the stand unfolded.

The Wire Potato Basket from Lostine is inspired by old potato farming baskets, matching the silhouette, sturdiness, and functional handles with a colorful twist.

The Duo Serving Tray is an innovative serving piece comprised of rich walnut wood and elegant Carrara marble. Inspired by materials and shaped used in Bower NYC’s furniture line, the Duo features a marble circle that perfectly nests into the walnut board, creating a complete, unified form. Both of the materials used in the tray are ideal for preparing and serving food, and can be separated into two pieces for different functions.

Taylor, whose studio is in Stockholm, returns to the U.S.A. in February 2014 for a residency at San Francisco's NWBLK gallery. His showstopping vase, mirror, and dish are made of brass and raw concrete.

Rather resembling smooth ceramic loaves of artisan bread, these sweet little butter dishes come in two natural tones of brown and white.

Considered Objects by David Taylor. Taylor, whose studio is in Stockholm, returns to the U.S.A. in February 2014 for a residency at San Francisco’s NWBLK gallery. His showstopping vase, mirror, and dish are made of brass and raw concrete.

Olive Dish and Spoon by Carnevale Clay, $26 at carpenterhill.com Having a dinner party? Made by hand in Denver, Colorado, this food-safe stoneware dish helps set the tone of the evening.

The Terrazzo Platter from Serax can be used as a serving tray, board for cheese and charcuterie, or even as a centerpiece on a dining room table—it can present tea lights, a vase of flowers, or center another accent. Terrazzo is a composite material that is available in a range of colors and tones and features a distinctive speckling. The material is both striking and simple, making it an excellent choice for different decors. On a wood table, the platter will provide material interest, while on a stone counter, the platter creates a subtle contrast.

The Cowhide Trays from eSSa Studios call to the enchanting, rustic appeal of the American west. The tray surface is comprised of cowhide from corriente cattle, showcasing the auburn or tan hides of the cattle. Shown here in walnut, the Ottoman Tray is designed to be a focal point on an ottoman or coffee table. Also available in oak, and in wallet and breakfast tray sizes.

The BlockBowl from On Our Table is a versatile tabletop product that features two distinctive surfaces. The flat circular surface can be used as a cutting board or serving board for cheeses and charcuterie, while the other side features a lipped bowl that can be used to serve nuts, olives, and other snacks.

The Ole Jensen Bowls are stable and sturdy kitchen bowls suited for all your food preparations and serving purposes. Featuring handles and spouts, each bowl is a versatile addition to a kitchen. Sold individually, they can be used on their own or nested together for convenient stacking storage.

Danish Turning Tray, $239 at the Dwell Store The Turning Tray was originally designed by Finn Juhl in 1956. The original trays are now on display at Finn Juhl’s Carlottenlund, Denmark home, which is now a museum. ArchitectMade has relaunched the Turning Trays by creating exact replicas from Juhl’s original drawings.

The Kaymet Rosewood Lap Table is a sophisticated addition to a serveware collection. First designed in 1965, the Lap Table Tray includes two side handles for easy transport and folding legs that make the serving tray into a table in one easy step. The Rosewood Lap Table is constructed in gold tone anodized aluminum with a luxe rosewood tabletop, making this utilitarian accessory elegant and refined. Use this piece to add surface area to coffee table or dining table by elevating appetizers, cocktails, or even a centerpiece.

Handcrafted in Chicago, the Doppio Serving Tray from Felicia Ferrone is a centerpiece, serving board, and tray, all in one elegant design. Comprised of two sides—one in white Carrara marble and the other in black Nero Marquina, the Doppio Serving Tray can be used to present cheeses and charcuterie, showcase candles or flowers, or can be used as a serving tray for cocktails or snacks.

Sarjaton We love this shallow serving bowl from iittala. The Tikki pattern is simple yet intricate and right on trend for the season.

This cheese board from Brooklyn Slate is a one-of-a-kind serving platter that is locally sourced from co-founder Kristy Hadeka’s family quarry in upstate New York. Each slate is hand-selected before being carefully sized and shaped by Hadeka and co-founder Sean Tice. In order to be sized and shaped, each slate is chipped by hand, ensuring that no two cheeseboards are exactly the same.

The Ray Long Board is characterized by its use of geometric shapes and angles. Designed to be used to present bread, cheeses, charcuterie, and other small appetizers, the rich, walnut board features beveled edges that make it easy to pick the board up off of the table. The top of the board is etched with a series of lines, which create a graphic visual statement of angles and intricate shapes.

1.5.1 Ray Long Serving Board, $90 at the Dwell Store Designed to be used to present bread, cheeses, charcuterie, and other small appetizers, this walnut board features beveled edges that make it easy to pick the board up off of the table.

Designer Thomas Bentzen designed the DLM Table for Danish design studio HAY to blend the necessity of a side table with the portable functionality of a tray. The DLM acronym means “Don’t Leave Me,” which is a clever call to the table’s function. The round side table features an easy-to-grab handle that comes out of the center of the table, making it easy to carry the DLM with you around the house.

The curved handle straightens your wrist and forces you to push the scoop with your palm, which uses your chest and arm muscles rather than your wrist, making scooping easier.